New York, April 09 (QNA) – UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the massive strikes launched by Israel on Lebanon, which resulted in hundreds of civilians being killed and injured, including children.

 "The ongoing military activity in Lebanon poses a grave risk to the ceasefire and the efforts toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region", the Secretary-General said in a statement issued Thursday, reiterating his call to all parties to immediately cease hostilities.

Guterres called for respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, and the protection of civilians and civilian objects, stressing that any attacks targeting them are unacceptable.

The Secretary-General emphasized that there is no military solution to the conflict and urged all sides to avail themselves of diplomatic channels and recommit to the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701.

Lebanon was subjected yesterday, Wednesday, to the most intense Israeli attacks since March 2, targeting the capital Beirut and areas in the Beqaa Valley and southern Lebanon, just hours after the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire as a prelude to ending the war. (QNA)